Golden Heart | Poppy's Style

Number of trains (including tubes) : 12

Number of buses : 1

Miles walked : countless

Glasses of white wine drunk : too many

Curries eaten : 1

Kebabs eaten : 1

What an amazing weekend. Not sure where to start – how about the beginning? I traveled down to London on Friday, and if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you will have seen me documenting my journey South. The train is a fab way to see England again.

After a quick tube ride to Liverpool St I wandered to my hotel in the FREEZING cold snow. I stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Shoreditch – and yes I used to work for IHG so could be accused of being bias – but I have to say if you need a hotel in central London for a couple of nights it was perfect. A great location for the City and the Central Line – not to mention being close to the great bars and restaurants of Spitalfields and Shoreditch. I’ll definitely stay there again.

Friday night was perfect. I met up with an old, good friend and we re-connected. It has been 2 years since I saw her – too long in my book. We had a few beers at the famous Golden Heart pub – where we use to drink in the late 90s, then headed to Brick Lane for a curry.

Trousers – Zara sequin velvet trousers (sale bargains) // Sneakers – Converse one star // Top – Zara // Leather jacket – Zara // Scarf – H&M old

I was a bit worried about a sore head Saturday morning but I actually felt great – I think I was so excited to meet up with all my virtual blogging friends that a hangover didn’t even take hold. I headed off to Bond St. nervous but oh so excited. In fact I was so excited I think I said it aloud a few times to the bemusement of fellow travelers. People don’t really talk to each other in London do they? I forgot about that. I was so excited to be on Oxford St again – it was brilliant. Marlene, Sue and Avril and I recognized each other instantly. All we could say was how ‘weird’ but fabulous it was to see each other in the flesh. We then met up with Kat, Beth, Natalie, Fiona and Helen at the restaurant. Everyone was pretty much just as we imagined each other. We talked and talked, and drank and drank from 12 – 10pm – not bad hey? I could have kept going as I had no children to get home to and only head back to the hotel. Instead, quite sensibly I headed back to the hotel to Skype MM, with a kebab in hand – classy:) It was amazing to meet everyone – I feel like I have a fantastic group of friends who are so supportive – thanks girls. The photo is taken early in the day before chat degenerated:)

Sunday was a lovely family day spent with my Brother-in-law and family. He’d made a roast dinner for us and it was great to kick my shoes off and relax. We headed to the park to blow away the cobwebs and had great fun playing football with my nephew and niece. A great family day to end a great weekend. I’m very happy to be back at Mum and Dad’s now and enjoy the rest of the week before heading home to my wee ones who I miss more than anything right now.

I love AllSaints. Not only do I love their urban styling but their flagship store in Spitalfields is just across the road from my London pad and The Golden Heart, where we have had many a lively night before a curry on Brick Lane. Wearing my AllSaints brings me closer to home and another great bonus is that you rarely see anyone else here in Atlanta wearing it. I tend to order it online as I can get it tax free due to them not having a stand alone store here in Atlanta, but Bloomingdale’s in Lenox Mall has a great concession managed by the fabulous Charlie. If you go tell him I sent you – he will treat you like a star!

Yes they are a little more expensive than a lot of other high street stores but they have a great sale every 6 months and their knitwear especially is so unique it is, in my eyes, worth it. I also love their tops and I have a couple of dresses too, oh and my leather straight leg trousers are AllSaints too. Yes I have quite a thing for them. Lots of raw edging, exposed seams, asymmetric drapey hems and an industrial palette gives their clothes a great urban vibe, but they are equally wearable, and I have found, in the main, that they are good quality – though I did have a t-shirt that had to go back twice due to the fabric weakening from the dying process – I gave up on it sadly, though I loved it so much!

So today I am wearing my Express blush jeans and Ash Thelma wedges with my AllSaints Pipali top and AllSaints Itat shrug. They are the perfect tops for layering on another beautiful Fall day. I love the skinny arms on their knitwear.

Right now I am wishing the week away as I am desperate for a haircut on Friday!